Training apparatus for object hitting sports

ABSTRACT

A training apparatus is provided for sports involving hitting an object. The training apparatus has a hitting sports club and a visual hitting aid attached to the club at a preferred location for hitting the object, for example, a ball or puck. The training apparatus is useful in assisting a user in visualizing the proper swing and contact zone for hitting or striking an object in a preferred ball or puck target contact zone.

CROSS-REFERNCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/068,541, filed Mar. 7, 2008, the content ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a training apparatus for objecthitting sports to help the user visualize and improve successful hittingtechniques.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The importance of training in sports has been long recognized and hasresulted in numerous training aids to assist in that training. Thesetraining aids have focused on the physical characteristics needed for asport. Many effective training aids have been developed and areavailable in the marketplace.

A need still exists for an improved training aid that focuses on themental aspects of object hitting sports, particularly the act ofvisualizing the successful hitting action of that sport. Many athletesand years of research by sports psychologists have proven that the actof visualizing success in the sport contributes greatly to actualsuccess and improved performance during a game. The present invention isdirected to that need and provides a training aid to assist the user invisualizing hitting a ball or puck successfully with the specificequipment used for that sport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a training apparatus. The apparatus of thepresent invention comprises a hitting sport club and a visual hittingaid securely attached thereto. The club includes an elongate body havinga first end and a second end. The body defines a handle portionproximate the first end and a ball or puck contact portion proximate thesecond end. The contact portion has a target wallop zone therein, whichis where the user preferably is trying to hit the ball or puck. Thevisual hitting aid is securely attached to the club within the targetwallop zone to assist the user in visualizing hitting the ball or pucksuccessfully.

The club may take many forms including that of a baseball bat, softballbat, golf club, hockey stick, racket, or the like. For example, if theclub takes the form of a baseball bat, the ball contact portion is thebarrel of the bat; if the club takes the form of a golf club, the ballcontact portion is the club head; and so forth.

The present invention is also directed to a method of visualizinghitting a ball or puck successfully. Preferably, the user holds thetraining apparatus described above and swings the training apparatus tovisualize hitting the baseball with the club in just the right spot onthe bat, e.g. the target wallop zone, preferably while the batter iswarming up or engaged in training.

A training attachment is disclosed herein. The training attachmentcomprises a visual hitting aid and an attachment means for securelyattaching the hitting aid to a hitting sport club, preferably in thetarget wallop zone of the club.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a training apparatus in the form of a baseball or softballtraining apparatus, wherein a visual hitting aid is securely attached toa hitting sport club within the target wallop zone;

FIG. 2A is a visual hitting aid in the form of a baseball or softballwith attachment means;

FIG. 2B is a visual hitting aid with attachment means substantially inthe form of a baseball or softball having a flat hitting surface;

FIG. 2C is an openable visual hitting aid having an attachment means andhollow portion;

FIG. 3 is a sports training apparatus assembly having a travel bag, ahitting sport club that is separable into two parts, a visual hittingaid, and an attachment means;

FIG. 4 shows two different sizes of weights, weighted leather bags, thatcan be added to the hitting aid; and

FIG. 5 is a training apparatus in the form of a golf club having avisual hitting aid attached to the ball contact portion of the golf clubhead within the target wallop zone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will now be described in reference to the preferredembodiments of the invention for purposes of illustration only. It willbe understood by one skilled in the art that numerous modifications oralterations may be made in and to the illustrated embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred toby like numerals throughout. With reference to FIGS. 1-5, a trainingapparatus 10, 110 is provided to assist a user to visualize successfullyhitting a ball or puck for a particular sport with a hitting sport club.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, the training apparatus 10, 110preferably comprises a hitting sport club 20 and a visual hitting aid25. The club 20 preferably includes an elongate body 30 having a firstend 34 and a second end 38. The elongate body 30 defines a handleportion 40 proximate the first end 34 and a ball or puck contact portion45 proximate the second end 38. The contact portion 45 of the club 20comprises a preferred ball or puck contact portion, referred to hereinas a target wallop zone 50. The hitting aid is securely attached to theclub 20, most preferably within the target wallop zone 50.

The target wallop zone 50 is the zone in which the user is attempting tohit the ball or puck with the club 20. A preferred target wallop zone 50is a location range on a hitting sport club 20 in which the user'sefforts are maximized, for example, resulting in the ball or pucktraveling farther from the same exerted effort or in a more controlledmanner. The wallop zone 50 on a baseball or softball bat 20, forexample, is typically approximately 5 cm to 30.5 cm from the second end38, more typically between 7.5 cm and 28 inches, and most typicallybetween 10 cm and 23 cm from the second end 38.

In a preferred embodiment the hitting aid 25, as show in FIGS. 2A-C, issubstantially in the form and size of a ball or puck that isconventionally hit by the club 20, e.g. a baseball/softball visual aid25 attached to a baseball/softball bat 20; or a golf ball visual aid 125attached to golf club 120. The visual hitting aid 25 assists the user invisualizing hitting the ball or puck successfully in the club's 20wallop zone 50. The hitting aid 25 is also preferably removable. Also,to further assist in training, the hitting aid 25 may have asubstantially flat hitting surface 57. This specific embodiment istypically helpful with training younger users to visualize, for example,having the users attempt to hit a ball off a batting tee, or during softtoss drills, with the flat surface of the hitting aid.

The hitting aid 25 can be openable having a hollow portion 55 as shownin FIG. 2C. Training weights 60, e.g., in the form of leather weightbags of various sizes and weights shown in FIG. 4, can be added to thehitting aid to further assist in training and warming up.

The training apparatus 10, 110 may take many forms including that of abaseball bat 20, softball bat 20, hockey stick (not shown), golf club120, sports racket (not shown), or any other sport club that is swung tohit a ball or a puck during the course of participation in the sport.The hitting aid 25 can likewise take many forms including a baseball 25,a softball 25, hockey puck (not shown), a golf ball 125, etc.

Thus, the following description of specific embodiments are for atraining apparatus in the form and size of a baseball bat 20 or softballbat 20 (FIGS. 1-3) and a golf club 120 (FIG. 5) and should be consideredexemplary and not limiting in nature.

In a particular embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the invention isdirected to a baseball or softball training apparatus 10. The trainingapparatus 10 comprises a baseball or softball bat 20 and a visualhitting aid 25. The baseball or softball bat includes an elongate body30. The elongate body 30 having a first end 34 and a second end 38,which define a handle portion 40 proximate the first end 34 and ahitting contact portion 45 proximate the second end 38. The ball contactportion 45 advantageously has a preferred ball contact portion referredto as a target wallop zone 50. The hitting aid 25 is securely attachedto the bat 20 within the target wallop zone 50 to allow the user toswing the bat with full force without concern that the hitting aid 25will become detached. In this embodiment, the hitting aid 25 issubstantially in the form and size of a baseball or softball. In aparticular embodiment the hitting aid may be in the form of a baseballor softball, but with a substantially flat hitting surface on one sideto assist the user in hitting a ball off a tee with the hitting aid.This helps the user visualize where to hit the ball on the bat. Thetraining apparatus 10 can be made of many materials, for example,composites, wood, metal, etc., however, in this embodiment it ispreferable that the training apparatus 10 be made of aluminum. In manyinstances the hitting sports club 20 is also advantageously hollow.

The baseball/softball training apparatus 10 could comprise a weightedbat 20 used to warm up in the on deck circle or a conventional bat usedin other training exercises. The visualization hitting aid 20 can bepermanently or temporarily attached to the bat 20. The hitting aid 20can be made to look exactly like a baseball or it can be any number ofcolors and shapes. The key is for the visualization hitting aid 20 toattract the attention of the user while training or warming up to helpthe user focus and visualize hitting the ball in the right form and spoton the bat 20, preferably the ball contact portion, or more preferablethe target wallop zone 50.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the invention is directed to a trainingattachment 65 for a hitting sport club 20. The training attachmentcomprises a visual hitting aid 25 and an attachment means 70 forsecurely attaching the hitting aid 25 to a hitting sport club 20. Thesport club 20 has ball or puck contact portion 45, and within thecontact portion a preferred contact portion, referred to as a targetwallop zone 50. The attachment means 70 can be anything that issufficient to securely attach the hitting aid 25 to the club 20 withinthe target wallop zone 50 with adequate hold so that the user can swingthe club with full force without detaching the hitting aid 25.Preferably, the attachment means 70 is a bolt 70, screw 70 or, notshown, a sleeve, belt and/or clamp. For instance, in a non-limitingembodiment the attachment means 70 is a bolt 70 or screw 70 that extendsout from the hitting aid wherein the hitting aid 25 bolts or screws intothe club 20; or alternatively the attachment means 70 is a sleeve whichslips over the club 20 and the hitting aid together to secure thehitting aid onto the sport club 20, preferably within the target wallopzone 50. The sleeve preferably is made of an elastic type material.

As in the embodiments above, the hitting aid 25 of the trainingattachment 65 is preferably substantially in a form and size of aregulation ball or puck hit by the club 20 to assist the user inactually visualizing the successful hitting of the ball or puck with theclub 20. As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5, the training attachment 65 issubstantially in the form of a baseball 25, a softball 25, hockey puck(not shown), or a golf ball 125. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the trainingattachment 65 is attached to a bat 20. In this case, the visualizationhitting aid 25 is in the form of a baseball or softball.

With reference to FIG. 3, the invention is directed to a sports trainingassembly 80. The sports training assembly 80 preferably comprises ahitting sport club 20 and a visual hitting aid 25. The club 20preferably includes an elongate body 30 having a first end 34 and asecond end 38. The body 30 defines a handle portion 40 proximate thefirst end 34 and a ball or puck contact portion 45 proximate the secondend 38. The contact portion 45 preferably comprises a target wallop zone50. The hitting aid 25 is substantially in the form of a ball or puckconventionally hit by the club 20. The training assembly also preferablyhas an attachment means 70 (as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C) for securelyattaching the hitting aid 25 to the club 20 within the target wallopzone 50. The sport training assembly 80 also preferably comprises atravel bag 85, typically with a handle 86 for ease of carrying thesports training assembly 80. In this embodiment, it is preferable thatthe club 20 is separable into two parts, a first handle part 62 and asecond ball contact part 63 for easy transport or storage in the travelbag 85.

In another embodiment, electronics are added to the training apparatus10, e.g., to the visualization hitting aid 25. These could be used tomeasure things like swing speed or other attributes. The electronicscould also provide sounds or lights to assist the user in concentratingon visualizing success. In accordance with one aspect of the inventionnot shown herein, the training apparatus 10 may comprise a velocimeter,accelerometer, or the like, for measuring the speed of the bat whenswung. Optionally, the measuring means would include a means fordisplaying the speed of the training apparatus measured by the measuringmeans. The display means may continue to display the highest speedmeasured until the ball player resets the display means in a preferredembodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the invention is also directed to a golftraining apparatus 110. The training apparatus 10 comprises a golf club120 and a visual hitting aid 125 substantially in the form and size of agolf ball. The golf club 120 includes an elongate body 130. The elongatebody 130 having a first end 134 and a second end 138, which define ahandle portion 140 proximate the first end 134 and a golf club head 143proximate the second end 138. The golf club head 143 having a hittingcontact portion 145, which advantageously has a preferred ball contactportion referred to as a target wallop zone 150. The hitting aid 125 issecurely attached to the golf club 120 within the target wallop zone 150to allow the user to swing the golf club 120 with full force withoutconcern that the hitting aid 125 will become detached. In thisembodiment, the visual hitting aid 125 is substantially in the form of agolf ball. The golf training apparatus 110 can be made of manymaterials, for example, composites, wood, metal, etc.

It is important to note that the present invention can also be used inconjunction with other training aids. In the baseball embodiment, forexample, the training apparatus 10 having a visualization hitting aid 25attached could be used to attempt to hit a ball on a batting tee. Inthis embodiment, it is preferable that the visualization hitting aid 25has a flat surface 57 on one side. This would obviously require a veryprecise swing so that the visualization hitting aid 20 of FIG. 1 wouldhit the ball on the tee in precisely the correct spot to deliver a goodhit.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

1. A training apparatus, comprising: a hitting sport club including anelongate body having a first end and a second end, said body defining ahandle portion proximate said first end and a ball or puck contactportion proximate said second end, the contact portion comprising atarget wallop zone; and a visual hitting aid securely attached to theclub within the target wallop zone, the hitting aid being substantiallyin the form of a ball or puck conventionally hit by the club.
 2. Thetraining apparatus of claim 1, wherein the club is substantially in theshape of a baseball bat, softball bat, hockey stick, or golf club. 3.The training apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hitting aid is in theform of a baseball, a softball, hockey puck, or a golf ball.
 4. Thetraining apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hitting aid is removable. 5.The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hitting aid is openablehaving a hollow portion wherein training weights can be added.
 6. Thetraining apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hitting aid has asubstantially flat hitting surface.
 7. A baseball or softball trainingapparatus 10, comprising: a baseball or softball bat 20 including anelongate body 30 having a first end 34 and a second end 38, said bodydefining a handle portion 40 proximate said first end 34 and a hittingcontact portion 45 proximate said second end 38, the ball contactportion 45 comprising a target wallop zone 50; and a visual hitting aid25 securely attached to the bat 20 within the target wallop zone 50, thehitting aid 25 being substantially in the form of a baseball orsoftball.
 8. The training apparatus of claim 7, wherein the hitting aidis removable.
 9. The training apparatus of claim 7, wherein the hittingaid is openable, the hitting aid being hollow allowing training weightsto be added.
 10. The training apparatus of claim 7, wherein the hittingaid has a substantially flat hitting surface.
 11. The training apparatusof claim 7, wherein the training apparatus is made of aluminum.
 12. Thetraining apparatus of claim 7, wherein the training apparatus can beseparated into two parts for easy transport or storage.
 13. A trainingattachment for a hitting sport club comprising: a visual hitting aid;and an attachment means for securely attaching said visual hitting aidto a hitting sport club, the sport club having a target wallop zone,wherein the attachment means is sufficient to securely attach thehitting aid to the club within the target wallop zone, wherein thehitting aid is substantially in a form of a regulation ball or puckconventionally hit by the club.
 14. The training attachment of claim 13,wherein the club is a baseball bat, softball bat, hockey stick, or golfclub.
 15. The training attachment of claim 13, wherein the hittingvisual aid is in the form of a baseball, a softball, hockey puck, or agolf ball.
 16. The training attachment of claim 15, wherein theattachment means is a bolt wherein the hitting aid is screwed on to theclub and/or a sleeve that slips over the club and hitting aid attachingthe hitting aid to the baseball or softball bat within the target wallopzone.
 17. The training attachment of claim 13, wherein visual hittingaid is openable having a hollow portion wherein training weights can beadded.
 18. The training attachment of claim 17, wherein the hitting aidhas a substantially flat hitting surface.
 19. A sport training assemblycomprising: a hitting sport club including an elongate body having afirst end and a second end, said body defining a handle portionproximate said first end and a ball or puck contact portion proximatesaid second end, the contact portion comprising a target wallop zone; avisual hitting aid, the hitting aid being substantially in the form of aregulation ball or puck conventionally hit by the club; an attachmentmeans for securely attaching said visual aid to the club within thetarget wallop zone.
 20. The sport training assembly of claim 19, furthercomprising a travel bag, the club in the form of a baseball bat orsoftball bat that is separable into two parts, a first handle part and asecond ball contact part, for easy transport or storage in the travelbag, wherein the hitting aid is substantially in the form of a baseballor softball and openable having a hollow portion wherein trainingweights can be added.